Page 44 of Downfall

He notices immediately. “What’s wrong?” He asks. He’s stopped touching me. Stopped grinding too.

I shake my head burying it in his chest.

“Rose talk to me.”

“I can’t.” I whisper.

“Rose?”

“I…”

“We don’t have to do this. We don’t have to do anything. We can just lie here, just watch movies all night and talk if you want.”

I steal a glance at him. “I want to do it.”

“But?”

I chew my lip for a moment.“If we cross this line…”

“It’s no different to what we’ve already done.” He says gently.

“Says you.” I snap.

He tilts his head but he doesn’t reply.

“It’s alright for you. You’re a man. And you’ve had sex before.” I state going on the attack because that feels like the appropriate response in my head right now.

“If you don’t want to…” He says for the hundredth time.

“I do. I just.” I sit up, pushing my hair back off my face, crossing my arms over my breasts to try to shield myself. “You’re a Montague. I’m a Capulet. If we cross this line there’s no going back.”

“I don’t want to go back.”

“What if something happens?”

“Like what?” He asks.

“Like you change your mind.” I half whisper it.

“Change my mind about what?”

“Us.”

He blinks, sighing, then pulls me down. “Rose, that’s not going to happen. I won’t change my mind.”

“What if something happens, between our families?” We’ve been warring worse than ever. Even the Governor has had to step in a few times and force us both into a ceasefire.

“It doesn’t matter what happens. It doesn’t matter what either of our families do. I’m not going anywhere Rose. I love you.”

My eyes widen and I gasp. Relief, surprise, joy, so many emotions flush through me just by hearing that one word. “Love?”

“Yes Rose.” He half growls. “I love you. I love you and I’m not leaving you. Not ever.”

I nod, my eyes welling up. “I love you too.” I say. “I know I shouldn’t. I know we’re meant to hate each other but I don’t.”

He cups my face kissing me. “Trust me Rose. I won’t hurt you. I won’t ever leave you.”

I nod. I do trust him. I trust him with my life.

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